Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1887-03-03
NATURAL HISTORY.
Three Easy Lessons for New Beginners
Ambitious to Attain Eminence.


There are three or four countries in
this world not inhabited by wolves, but
it may be truthfully said that they do
not amount to much. The wolf was
probably created soon after man, and
IS one of the first animals mentioned
after the world got her axle creased and
got the word to go. In his wild state
his sole object is to get three square
meals day, and he isn't bit particu-
lar whether he lunches on an old mule
Or young Countess. When domesti-
Gated he can be taught several tricks.
one of which is eating up the family
baby at the first opportunity.
The wolf is not as brave as the lion
but he manages to get in his sos
days in the year just the same, and it is
a cold day when any thing good to eat
gets away from him. There are more
wolves in Russia than in any other
country. This is because the Car
never gets time to go cunning for any
thing but Nihilists. Sometimes, when
scalloped oysters and lobster salad are
scarce, the wolves will band together
aud pursue a sleighing party. If they
can't be driven off the occupants of the
sleigh throw each other out as offerings,
and if one is lucky to escape the news
papers call him hero and the Gar
gives him a medal.
THE ALLIGATOR.
The alligator makes no pretensions
:, beauty, but prides himself on his
sterling character He can be found in
all tropical countries, but grows to his
largest size in India and Africa. There
is no one to pick on him there and keep
him mad from Monday morning to Sat
urday night, while the fodder is excel
lent He is still found in the southern
portion of the United States, but is no
longer the confiding, trusting reptile of
twenty years ago. Let him hear
brass band begin to tool now and he
will slide for deep water without look
ing back over his shoulder.
AT several different epochs our natu-
ralists have sought to make out that the |
alligator wouldn't bite. We are happy |
to inform our readers that all such !
have long since furnished |
lunrasOns.
The alligator feeds on fish and flesh !
Of every sort, and it is not on record !
that he has any particular choice.
When nothing else comes handy he !
will swallow pine knots and log chains |
to fill the aching void in his stomach.
He is sort of half-and-half reptile, |
spending his time either on land or |
water, according to the number of !
1arkies who have got a day off to go !
fishing. There are said to be several /
cures for the bite of an alligator, but
no one has ever yet had chance to try !
any Of them. He is supposed to live
for fifty or sixty years, and to grow (
neaner and uglier every year of his /
life.
THE LION.
The lion Is called the king of beasts /
IN order to advertise circuses. He in |
habits Il great share of the earth, but |
MS favorite stamping ground is Africa. /
He feeds altogether on flesh, and there /
must DE many times In his life when he /
wonders why Nature didn't put an |
extra compartment in and allow him to |
eat hay. His roar is one of the grand |
sounds of the forest, and is calculated !
10 llft man up tree at the rate OF a
loot second. 1t is said that if lion
leaps over you in his spring he will
lrop his tail and flee. Every boy |
should remember this and be prepared
TO duck. No lion can ever be |
tanned. and there's no use
sitting up nights and throwing your
time away. He is supposed to live one
hundred years in his wild state. but |
they can't be carried around in cage
over fifteen before the gingerbread
and pink lemonade stiffens their limbs
in death. There are no wild lions in |
this country. The taxes are probably